Jounce Bumper Assembly

Abstract

A jounce bumper assembly includes a bumper and a support member for supporting the bumper. The support member is made of a flexible material and is stiffer than the bumper. As the bumper is compressed, the support member is flexibly deformed and expands radially and at the same time limits the radial expansion of the bumper. The support member may have a base portion with a varied thickness. The base portion is also compressed as the bumper is compressed. The support member has the advantages of increasing the spring rate of the bumper to improve the load-carrying capability and providing a softer feel for occupants in a vehicle to which the jounce bumper assembly is mounted.

1 . A jounce bumper assembly comprising:
 a bumper; and   a support member for supporting the bumper,   wherein the support member is capable of being flexibly deformed while limiting a radial expansion of the bumper to increase a spring rate of the bumper as the bumper is compressed.   
     
     
         2 . The jounce bumper assembly of  claim 1 , wherein the support member comprises a flexible material. 
     
     
         3 . The jounce bumper assembly of  claim 1 , wherein the support member comprises an elastomer stiffer than the bumper. 
     
     
         4 . The jounce bumper assembly of  claim 1 , wherein the support member includes a generally-cup shaped configuration. 
     
     
         5 . The jounce bumper assembly of  claim 1 , wherein the support member includes a base portion and a cylindrical sidewall extending from the base portion. 
     
     
         6 . The jounce bumper assembly of  claim 5 , wherein the cylindrical sidewall is flexibly deformed as the bumper is compressed. 
     
     
         7 . The jounce bumper assembly of  claim 5 , wherein the base portion has a uniform thickness. 
     
     
         8 . The jounce bumper assembly of  claim 5 , wherein the base portion has a varied thickness. 
     
     
         9 . The jounce bumper assembly of  claim 5 , wherein the base portion defines a thicker portion proximate to the cylindrical sidewall and a thinner portion proximate to a center of the base portion. 
     
     
         10 . The jounce bumper assembly of  claim 1 , further comprising a piston rod extending through the bumper and the support member. 
     
     
         11 . The jounce bumper assembly of  claim 1 , further comprising a rigid cup surrounding the support member. 
     
     
         12 . The jounce bumper assembly of  claim 1 , wherein the bumper is formed of microcellular urethane. 
     
     
         13 . The jounce bumper assembly of  claim 1 , wherein the bumper and the support member are molded into one piece. 
     
     
         14 . The jounce bumper assembly of  claim 1 , wherein the support member defines at least one counter bore into which a part of the bumper extends. 
     
     
         15 . A jounce bumper assembly comprising:
 a bumper; and   a support member for supporting the bumper, the support member including a base portion,   wherein the base portion is compressed and flexibly deformed as the bumper is compressed.   
     
     
         16 . The jounce bumper assembly of  claim 15 , wherein the support member is made of a flexible material. 
     
     
         17 . The jounce bumper assembly of  claim 15 , wherein the support member is stiffer than the bumper. 
     
     
         18 . The jounce bumper assembly of  claim 15 , wherein the support member is generally cup shaped. 
     
     
         19 . The jounce bumper assembly of  claim 15 , wherein the base portion of the support member has a varied thickness. 
     
     
         20 . The jounce bumper assembly of  claim 15 , wherein the base portion has a thicker portion proximate to an outer periphery of the base portion and a thinner portion proximate to a center of the base portion. 
     
     
         21 . A jounce bumper assembly comprising:
 a bumper;   a flexible support member for supporting the bumper; and   a rigid cup surrounding the flexible support member,   wherein the flexible support member is compressed and flexibly deformed as the bumper is compressed.   
     
     
         22 . The jounce bumper assembly of  claim 21 , wherein the jounce bumper assembly defines a gap between the flexible support member and the rigid cup. 
     
     
         23 . The jounce bumper assembly of  claim 21 , wherein the rigid cup limits a radial expansion of the flexible support member.